This section is packed with step-by-step guides and resources to work through the process of testing your business idea to writing a business plan, as well as sign-posting the business support on offer for groups in the very early stages of starting a co‑op.

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Good governance

Good governance is crucial to the effective operation of co-operatives – particularly those looking to grow – regardless of size, legal form or business sector.

This section aims to give co-operatives a range of expert guidance and resources to improve their governance. Read on for an overview of each section.

Latest resources

Board behaviours in co-operatives: A practical guide for for co-ops to gain a better understanding of the impact of boardroom behaviours with practical tips on how to support the behaviours seen in the most effective boards.

Recruiting directors to co-op boards. 'Make up of the board' is a short film and guidance note on the process of recruiting directors to co-operative boards, an issue that has very much put the co-op sector under the spotlight in recent years.

Directors Toolkit. A comprehensive series of resources for inducting directors onto a co-operative board. See the resources in full.

The purpose of a co-operative

Governance: An effective board

From recruiting the best people to your co-operative Board to equipping the Board with the tools to carry out their role well, this section looks at the different elements of developing an effective board in order for your co-operative business to be effective.

Governance: Performance and roles

Governance training

We have a number of one-day training courses, including for co-op chairs, directors and secretaries. There is also the option for in-house training – find out more.

The Co-operative Governance Expert Reference Panel

The Co-operative Governance Expert Reference Panel was established and co-ordinated by Co-operatives UK in response to a need for an independent and authoritative voice in the co-op sector for best practice in governance. It will continue to contribute best practice and resources to The Hive for for free as and when they become available. Read more about the Panel...